Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1887-12-15
WASHINGTON LETTER
[From our regular correspondent
WASHINGTON. Dec. 5. 1887

From our regular correspondent.l
WASHINGTON, Dec. 8, 1887. !.
Probably your readers are not aware
of the immence quantities of mail mat
ter distributed throughout the country
by the Government at Washington.
To give them some faint conception
of its magnitude, it is only necessary
to mention the fact that the United
States mail sent out from the Interior
Department alone, averages in weight
5000 pounds daily. But all told, the
Government perhaps distributes about
&c, 900 pounds daily especially during
the season, when "public documents'
are being scattered broad cast through
out the land by members of Congress
who do not wish their constituents to
forget them during their stay at the capi-
tai. Perhaps another thing that few per-
sons, except the losers themselves, ever
think of, is the amount of money lost
in the mails. Last year $27 1887 was
found In dead letters, of which amount
$22, $3.50 was restored to the owners; &c.
672 thus found could be returned, and
was deposited in the Treasury to the
credit Of the Government; likewise the
sum of $2,721, the proceeds of auction
sales of unclaimed packages of mer-
chandise, found in the mails.
Postmaster General Villas is certain
ly to be congratulated upon his master
ly and successful management of the
great Department committed to his
charge, for his annual report shows the
most gratifying results. The revenues
of the Department have gained over
the proceeding year nearly $4, SAG, 900,
which may be termed the high water
mark, while the disbursements in
creased but little more than two mil
lion dollars; two years since, under the
Republican regime, the deficiency was
500, 600. This sum has been reduced
nearly three fourth under economical
Democratic administration, and if the
present ratio of reduction continues a
few months, the deficiency will disap-
pear entirely.
If the Democracy had done nothing
else to win the support and confidence
of the country, their management of
the public lands and of the postal affairs
of the nation entities the party to
new lease of power. Both Secretary
Fairchild and Comptroller Turnholm
make two very important recomfnen-
dations in their reports-the former
urging upon Congress the need of en-
acting fire proof hall for the better
protection of perishable Government
records-the latter proposing to Con-
gress the codification of the bank laws;
that the Comptroller is earnestly in
favor of his scheme is shown by his send
ing letter to each Congressman, fully
explaining its provisions.
A Treasury statement shows that for
the month of November there was net
increase of 81, ,360, 1857 in the circulation
and net increase of $8,871, TAG in the
amount of cash in the Treasury. The
increase in circulation was in silver GER
tificates, gold coin, standard silver dol
lars, and subsidiary silver in the order
named.
Chief Justice Waite of the United
States Supreme Court, celebrated his
list birthday last week. Four Supreme
Justices Waite, Field, Miller and
Bradley-could some time since have
laid aside the judicial robes and retired
on salaries of $4,000 each the balance
of ther lives, yet these hale old men
present the rare and resreshing specta-
Gle of working every day, when they
might receive the very same pay for
doing nothing. Each Supreme Justice
is entitled to private Secretary at 81
600 year, and / believe all of them avail
themselves Of the privilege except the
venerable Chief Justice, who says such
an official attachment would only be in
his way.
Secretary Lamar's age (he was SO last
September) is urged as a serious objec-
tlon by some against his transfer to the
Bench, as since the Court was organ
lied, only two Justices of that ad-
vanced age have been appointed. But
Mr.. Lamar, his friends say, is good for
ten years service.
Washington Is now crowded with the
floating population who dance attend
ance upon the coming and the going Of
Congress, and of course all such indi-
vidual have some personal object in
view. There are the lobbyists, male
and female, the office seekers of both
sexes, and great army of cranks, crooks
adventures who are wooing fame and
fortune.
The deliberations of the Democratic
Caucus resultsed, as you have seen by
telegraph, about as / have indicated in
this correspondence, though 1t is much
to be regretted that the excitement en-
gendered in the canvass for doorkeeper
of the House precipitated personal
conflict between two of the members,
which, after the passion of the moment
had passed, was honorably and AMIGA
bly, adjusted.
IT is thought that Mr.. Lamar's nomi-
nation for Supreme Justice will be
sent to the Senate this week.. but it is
not probable that he will assume the
duties Of the position until after the
holidays, as there are many matters in
the Interior DepaStment demanding
his attention.
Remember This.
If you are sick Simmons Liver Regu-
iator will surely aid nature in making
you well. Ifyou are c0stive or dys-
v,antia or arc aIIffarinO fr.1rn anv other